Epiphany

Hi Erica The Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss has a support group that meets once a month: http://www.texasbariatric.com/patient-support/bariatric-support-groups/ I have yet to attend one of their groups, but hear that they're wonderful! Welcome & best wishes! Linda

Hi hi I was soooo excited to see a San Antonio group on this site! I'm hoping to connect with other local "sleevers" to create something of a real-life support network for us all... A little about me: I recently had my knee 'scoped to try & figure out why my torn meniscus wasn't healing (after 5 months) --- once inside, my knee doc saw that the cartilage was completely shredded (the pictures looked like cotton candy) & gave me the news that I needed total knee replacement. He also let me know that he wouldn't be able to do the surgery until I lost a significant amount of weight & referred me to Dr. Ramiro "Sonny" Cavazos, a bariatric surgeon at The Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss . I saw him a few days later on 5/27 & had my Nutrition/Psychological consult. My insurance will cover WLS after I complete 3 months of medically supervised weight loss --- so that's where I am in the process. So far I'm down 23 lbs. It's been fairly easy -- had a few episodes of extreme hunger, but nothing I couldn't handle -- the hardest part has been making good choices when I'm around my extended family, especially when we're out at a restaurant -- but the more I do it, the more comfortable I am. I think the shock of being told I needed knee replacement surgery definitely helped me wrap my brain around the necessity of WLS... I've been a somewhat militant fat person (!) for a while now & always told myself I'd NEVER EVER EVER do WLS -- I insisted for the longest time that my weight had NO impact on my health & that the doctors that told me how bad it was for me were just being fat-phobic. I always took pride in the fact that I really never let my size slow me down or keep me from doing the things I wanted to do. Then...my blood pressure became an issue...then diabetes... and now, my knees -- which is making mobility an issue... and I've HAD to accept that those doctors were right all along! I'm sorry that it's come to this --- but I'm also sooooo grateful! I had a doctor that cared enough about me as a human being to be honest with me, even though it was uncomfortable. I have a fiance & a few close friends that are totally supportive of my choice to have WLS. I'm lucky that my insurance will even consider covering WLS! Anyway -- I guess that's enough of an introduction for now.... I look forward to the possibility of getting to know other San Antonio folks!

I was sleeved on Tuesday 9/20, released from the hospital on Thursday & could have gone back to work on Friday --- wasn't cleared to drive until the Tuesday following surgery, though --- so I waited until then & went back 3/4 time. I have a desk job & don't do any heavy lifting --- really felt great, was just a bit tired in the late afternoon. I start full time again at work tomorrow - no more cat naps in the afternoon!

Wow!! I'm sleeved!! It seemed like it took forever for my insurance to come through with an approval, but it was really only about 10 days...once we got that, everything happened REALLY fast!! I went for my preop that Thursday & was sleeved the following Tuesday (9/20).... surgery went very well -- had absolutely no problems & barely any pain at all. Was walking within an hour. The worst part was not being able to drink anything the day & night of surgery...and then the week + of clear liquids, which i'm still on. I have my post op tomorrow & I'm hoping that Dr. Cavazos will move me to the "mushies" stage. I have to say that the care I received at Foundation Surgical Hospital was absolutley OUTSTANDING! If you're lucky enough to be sleeved there, you're really in for a treat -- everyone there was wonderful!

I'm 8 days out & am having the same problem...and I started back at work today -- made for a very sleepy afternoon! Tonight, I'll try some chamomille tea before bed & hope that helps...

<BR><BR><BR>Hi Robyn ~ <BR>How exciting for you to be already be on the other side!<BR>Keep up the good work --- and keep posting about your experience! <BR>We need to hear @ the reality of being sleeved...<BR>Thanks a bunch!<BR>

Well, I've completed 3 months of medically supervised weight loss & waited allllll last week for the approval which didn't come until yesterday. Today I got my pre-op & surgery dates!! I go for my pre-op this Thursday & I'll get sleeved next Tuesday, September 20th!! I'm so excited that everything is finally falling into place...it seems like it's taken forever --- by far, waiting has been the hardest part of all of this! Anyway -- please hold a good thought for me, if you're so inclined! I'm soooooo looking forward to being a loser!

Hi MsC ~ Thanks a bunch & best of luck to you!! See you on the losers bench soon!

Just a quick post to say that my doctor submitted to BCBS for approval this past Thursday & now I'm just in hoping, waiting & praying mode! I knew I'd hit a plateau because I hadn't lost any weight last month -- and, in fact, gained 1.5 lbs. (Was pretty disappointed about that.) But...Doctor was pleased that body fat % had gone way down and body muscle % had significantly increased -- so there's something of an explanation for it... Anyway -- just wanted to say that I'm still here, eagerly reading about everyone's experiences ~~ so please keep posting, it helps keep me focused & motivated!! Much thanks to y'all!!

I haven't been sleeved yet, but I suspect that quite a few people experience what you're experiencing...doubt & worry!I think that's a pretty normal (and even healthy!) reaction and I'm sure when I'm 3 days out from my surgery date, I'll be rowing the same boat... Like you, I'm only arranging to take a week off --- once I lose a significant amount of weight, I'll be going for knee replacement surgery & will need LOTS more time off for that...so I'm saving as much as I can! Please let us know how you're doing! Very best wishes!

Thanks, Care!! Best to you, too!!

Hi - Hello - Hola - Howdy - Hallo - Konnichi wa - NuqneH? & Arrrrgh! New to the whole idea of WLS, and especially VSG -- but after much research & upon the advice of my Doctor, believe whole-heartedly that this is the best option for me. I was told 4 weeks ago that I needed total knee replacement surgery (we thought that I'd just been dealing with a knee injury that wasn't healing...!) -- and that my doctor wouldn't perform knee replacement until I'd lost a significant amount of weight. Knee doctor referred me to Dr. Ramiro "Sonny" Cavazos @ The Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss. Had my first appointment with him + Nutritionist & Behavioral Health on 5/26/11 & am now doing 3 months of medically supervised weight loss as per my insurance company (already down 23 lbs!) & hoping to have a surgery date the end of August / beginning of September 2011. Motivated & very excited! Highest weight : 328 May 2011 Goal: 150-ish

Hi Kathy ~ I know what you mean about getting on the scale! I'm enjoying it these days too! My hope is that once I lose all this excess weight that maybe my knees will forgive me (!!) and I won't NEED knee replacement... not likely, I know, but I can still hope! Congratulations on the 34 lbs lost!! That's fabulous!! Best to you!

Hi Reb ~ I have a $5000 deductible for WLS --- not sure about all the other coverage details just yet... I have my 2nd appointment tomorrow & I'll be asking those questions. Mexico is a lovely place!! I was lucky to be able to live in San Miguel de Allende for a year & absolutely LOVED it! Medical care there was just as good as any care I received in the states & yes, quite a bit less expensive! Best to you!

Hi Sylvia ~ It's so good to hear about your success! Great news @ being off your diabetes meds, too! Looking forward to hearing more for you!

Hi Blessed & Broken ~ First of all ... Thanks soooo much for starting this group!! How are you doing post-surgery? Any words of wisdom for those of us who are still doing pre-surgery preparations?

Hello -- I've just discovered this site & am looking forward to hearing more @ your experiences! I'm new to the whole idea of WLS, and especially VSG -- but after much research & upon the advice of my Doctor, believe whole-heartedly that this is the best option for me. I was told 4 weeks ago that I needed total knee replacement surgery (we thought that I'd just been dealing with a knee injury that wasn't healing...!) -- and that my doctor wouldn't perform knee replacement until I'd lost a significant amount of weight. Knee doctor referred me to Dr. Ramiro "Sonny" Cavazos @ The Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss. Had my first appointment with him + Nutritionist & Behavioral Health on 5/26/11 & am now doing 3 months of medically supervised weight loss as per my insurance company (already down 23 lbs!) & impatiently hoping to have a surgery date the end of August / beginning of September 2011. Motivated & very excited! Highest weight : 328 May 2011 Current weight: 303 Goal: 150-ish

Thank you ALL for the warm welcome!

Hi, hi! I'm in San Antonio & would looooove to hear from other Texas-sleevers!

Yay for YOU!! I'm new here & reading as much as I can -- thank you for posting! I know VSG isn't going to fix absolutely everything, including the desire to "stress-graze"... it's nice to see a great example of owning your behavior & doing something positive rather than falling back into old, defeating habits!

Congratulations on your approval!! I'm new to this site, too & have been reading everything I can @ VSG! Could you please tell me what you mean by "boot camp"? I'm assuming you mean exercise of some sort? Looking forward to hearing more about your experience!

Glad you're feeling better! Looking forward to hearing more about your progress!

Thinking good thoughts for you! Would love to hear about your experience!